Chelsea Clinton Stops Traffic On Gay Pub Crawl

Chelsea Clinton stopped traffic Friday night as she wandered the streets of Philadelphia on a gay bar crawl, winning rave reviews for both her politics and her appearance.

Led around the neighborhood by Gov. Ed Rendell, Chelsea was mobbed by local gays and lesbians, as she walked from one club to the next. They ran up to hug her, posed for pictures and certainly invaded her personal space.

"I grabbed her ass," one young woman exclaimed to her friends after snapping a picture with her arm around the former first daughter.

"Chelsea, the gays love you!" one fan exclaimed, as she took the microphone at Bump, a restaurant and bar that was her first stop. "Oh, gosh, I don't know if everybody loves me," she responded.

Most of those at the bar seemed to, squeezing past one another in the cramped space to get a photo. Even some patrons, donning Obama stickers -- a rally for the Illinois senator had taken place a few blocks away earlier in the evening -- tried to get a snapshot as well.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[JAsonMA]

An open letter to Hillary supporters... pass it on if you wish.

I think the biggest misconception HIllary supporters have of Obama supporters is that we are against their movement. That somehow Obama supporters are anti-woman.

But the one of the reason Obama supporters are so dedicated and sometimes intense to a fault, is to show HRC supporters that we are all fighting for the same thing. That we are in no means against them. We are just looking at the same problems from different point of view.

From a HRC supporter perspective, they believe she is experienced and can go into washington and play the game and make things right.

From an Obama supporters they believe that change is this country is not the take of politicians alone, but through co-operation and hard work of people. The concept is you do not leave the work for others, you have to go out right now and work for that change. That is why his supports are so involved and continue to draw in more people that want to take an active role in shaping their futures. People that were once cynical about government are now understanding that each and every individual has his/her role to play in improving America and that is where the excitement is coming from.

Same team with different approaches.

[08timefortruth]

I almost feel sorry for Chelsea, she did not choose her parents and she is trying to be a good daughter. I think she has horrible parents that have subjected her to public humiliation ever since she was a kid. This event sounds so humiliating.

[anghiari]

Of course Chelsea is being used a surrogate who can go places Mom shouldn't if she wants to hang on to those middle class Americans in PA who are losing their homes and who can't stretch those paychecks. What I wonder is what floats around in Chelsea's head? Her father was stupping a girl her age in the White House and her mom lies as easily as she breathes. So Who are you? when you have a father willing to humiliate you in front of the world and your mother will throw anybody under the bus to get ahead. I think any child psychologist will tell you we have one angry girl on the stump. One with either an overweening view of herself or one who has an enormous lack of self-esteem. We don't see it on display because she has learned from her mother that you do not show weakness even if you are dead inside. But I feel for the kid who has two such parents. It must be hard to get up in the morning, but I am sure she loves them. She knows no other way of life!

[VA2008]

I agree......she is just trying to support her mother. She already said she would not move back into the White House so that tells you something. I wish people wouldn't be so hard on her.......most kids would do just about anything for their parents if asked.

Obama2008

[geobushono]

look!!! she is not an innocent in this campaign.................You and I are Obama supporters and we must recognize the forces of reaction no matter how familiar they might appear.
She represents the wrong-headed-hedge fund-elitists who eschew Labor except during elections.
Never forget....the clintons have revealed themselves as friends of wealth and international corporations.

[08timefortruth]

Just because I support Obama does not mean I have to hate anyone, I can disagree with their politics or even their values without thinking having your rear grabbed in public and bragged about as just desserts.

[BrianZ]

You really need to take a step or 10 back and look at yourself.

[NC4Obama]

Yes i would like Chelsea if she wasn't working for hedge funds and instead doing something that wasn't corrupt and dependent on her parents.

[DeanLowe]

It's humiliating to talk to gay people?

[08timefortruth]

No, it's humiliating to have your rear end grabbed by anyone, then have that a huge news story that becomes to basis of some really nasty comments.

[Drewkowski]

Not at all, but some of the voters that are being chased by both campaigns think so. What kills me are the "log-cabin" righties McCain is pulling. Their incomes are so high, they would rather keep the discrimination as long as they get to keep the tax cuts.

[AnnieinOR]

chelsea you want to stump with the grownups? stop pretending you're still 12 - you aren't cute and innocent anymore, and you are complicit in your mom's fairy tales. Grow up and stop playing the pampered princess routine - it just makes my gag reflex work overtime - and if you come to OR, we'll be ready for you...

[TrollsTakeYourMedstoo]

Must be another classy Obama supporter, what with the threats and all.

[RThM]

OK You've used the classy line already. Find something new. And don't be obtuse to manufacture a put down. Maybe there are some people who don't think Chelsea's act is real or informative. Maybe there are some people concerned enough about the future of the country to ask a campaign surrogate real questions on why the should vote for candidate.

[hbw3]

Chelsea, once you and the rest of the circus formerly known as the Clinton campaign realize how ludicrous this looks, could you please ask your dad what he did on September 21, 1996? You know, that thing called Defense of Marriage Act he signed that day? While he was running for re-election?

Could you also ask your dad why he then didn't mention the law or any of the controversy about it in his 2004 book My Life?

Could you ask your mom why she is unwilling to repeal all of the DOMA? (http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=17268)

Could you also ask her why it is virtually impossible to find any LGBT community related material on her campaign site while on Senator Obama's site it's in one of the main drop downs?

I know that both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton's stands on issues concerning the LGBT community are identical - here's the Human Rights Campaign's ratings for both candidates:

http://a4.g.akamai.net/f/4/19675/0/newmill.download.akamai.com/19677/anon.newmediamill/pdfs/Questionnaire_ReportCard.pdf.

But at least when it comes to guilt by association claims, I am happy Senator Obama has a good friend in Governor Patrick who was instrumental in helping to stop an anti-gay marriage initiative in Massachusetts an will continue to stand by that. He doesn't trawl gay bars, he enacts and protects LGBT-favorable legislation.

Hope your astroturf rugburns didn't hurt too much Chelsea.

[BrianZ]

Oh here we go with the campaign talking points.

So, you want a full repeal on DOMA? That's great and all but what are you proposing in the vacuum and political chaos left in its wake? I'd love to see it go, but lets be realistic: Something I see clearly lacking.

And you hope her "astroturf rugburns " don't hurt too much? People like you are driving Clinton supporters on this site so far towards not voting in the GE isn't sickening. You accuse the Clinton's of do and say anything and yet take a step back and look at yourself: You are JUST like them.

[hbw3]

OK, Brianz, point taken, I apologize, you're right, I shouldn't people with flippant comments. I will try better in future.

I don't work for the Obama campaign, my criticisms are not taken from their "talking points," I am more than capable of researching the issues myself, and I can make up my mind. I'm a former Clinton campaign supporter.

I thought separate but equal had long been discredited. Why should the government tell anyone who they can and cannot marry? I disagree with both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama on this, I think both are wrong.

BTW, I am a heterosexual father who is married to a woman, and am greatly saddened that my gay friends are not afforded the same possibility in many places.

[hbw3]

Chelsea Clinton, an unmarried woman (as far as I know), on an Crown Royal-laden adventure (?) through a number of gay bars. With a married Democratic governor who "has toured gay bars in Philadelphia since the 1970s". And a couple of male Hollywood actors/producers.

""I grabbed her ass," one young woman exclaimed to her friends after snapping a picture with her arm around the former first daughter."

Yes, a couple of male Hollywood actors/producers. Hmmm, was this a casting call for "Chelsea Gone Wild"? Will she be joined by Kristen, a veteran of the "Girls Gone Wild" series who shares a mutual acquaintance with Chelsea and Ed by the name of Eliot Spitzer.

"I don"t know," Chelsea replied. "I"m mostly just following directions."

Oh, no, I'm sorry, you're not being pimped out or anything.

[ddempesy]

Does anyone else wonder why the goverenor has time to go on bar crawls when his state is in such an economic crisis? Shouldn't he be spending time figuring how to serve the PA residents that can't pay their mortgages, just scraping by...what's up with this guy, what is he hoping to gain from this?

[mesuki]

Chelsea should be embarassed that her mother is Hillary,and her mouth reminds me of a pelican's mouth? she's not easy on the eyes.

[jonnai]

she can use a nose job. Ha chelsea are you tired of your... dad... pimping your... mom... and your... mom... pimping... you...? Of course not it's a pimps up and Hoes down family.

[TrollsTakeYourMedstoo]

Another classy Obama supporter, huh.

[jade7243]

Does allowing prospective voters cop a feel of the merchandise qualify as "pimping out your daughter, in some weird way?"

I see...

[Kansas Evans]

That's what I thought! Not that I'm mad at Chelsea. I'm not mad at all. Neither at Chelsea or the LGBT community.

But isn't that sexual harrassment?

[wndrwrthg]

Only if she complains.

[batchick]

Hmmmmmm, doesn't Hillary think the Republicans will use this against her in the general election? Isn't that the logic she keeps using about Obama?

[08timefortruth]

She knows she won't be involved in the general election.

[wndrwrthg]

After what the clintons did to stymie the rights of gays, why do they still flock to them? Was this just a drunken friday night celebrity sighting? I have never understood the minds of those who support those who use them and then discard them when they no longer can advance their goals.

[WaynesWhirled]

The LGBT community have always known that the Clinton's have been advocates and friends to us. It's nice to see Chelsea keeping up the tradition of tolerance and respect. She is an incredible young woman, and her parents should be very proud. They Clintons did a great job raising her. She has my respect, and her mother has my vote.

[kettletop]

Well, do you see Hillary or Bill actually reaching out to the gay community?
I'm just saying that they sent their daughter because they don't want to be seen with you. But they sent their daughter so you would feel important and loved. If a place is too dangerous or too gay, they send Chelsea.

[ladygreenslippers]

voting on a photo-op? oh help us Jesus.

[TrollsTakeYourMedstoo]

No....voting on years of observation and respect. You?

[realistdem1]

Didnt Clinton sign DOMA? How did that work out for the LGBT?

[PrdAmerican]

Obviously you haven't been investigated by the military for being gay in the era of don't ask don't tell.

[WaynesWhirled]

I'm gay and I served my country honorably in the military, during the time when Clinton enacted DADT. Did you? What would you know about it. Before Clinton, the only policy for gays in the military was DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Bill was the first to stand up and say it was wrong for the military to discriminate against gays who wanted to serve. Bill was the first and only president to do so. IS DADT perfect, no. But the Clintons deserve credit for standing up for the LGBT community at a time when homophobia was rampant (maybe you are not old enough to remember the 90s, I do). And there were many gay service members who were very proud that the Clintons made the effort.

[DeanLowe]

Was it better before don't ask don't tell?

[ChimpmasterDJ]

I believe the gay community still remembers the "Defense Of Marriage Act". Sending lil Chelsea's ass to the lesbian bar won't help all that much

[WaynesWhirled]

I guess you don't know many gay people, or haven't bothered to check the exit polling of the LGBT community throughout the primaries (gays support Hillary Clinton over Obama by a margin of 70% for Clinton and 30% to Obama). Gay people can spot a phony a mile away. Obama talks a good game, but he has hateful anti-gay bigots like Donnie McClurkin representing his campaign, not to mention the homophobe James T. Meeks. They preach that Gay people are a disease and that God has cursed us. That's not a problem with Obama, but though it may shock you, Gay people don't take kindly to hateful bigots.

[PrdAmerican]

I sure as hell remember it...and the fact that she refuses to repeal it pisses me off. Also, who can forget how the Clinton's ran on the whole lifting the ban on gays in the military and when confronted with a fight decided to back down and compromise with the failed don't ask don't tell. I would be very leary of her "I'm a fighter" remarks...because each and every time she's had a fight on her hands...she has caved to her own self interest (i.e. HealthCare Reform).

[JackNasty]

Hear, hear!

[BrianZ]

You really can't be gay, and certainly not one in any way affiliated with the military. The fact that Bill Clinton took on the Pentagon over gays in the military was a huge step forward. The possibility for being kicked out with a dishonorable before DADT was a clear reality, as was retatliatory investigations, investigations stemming from jilted lovers, etc. All those doors were closed by Clinton's policy. And yet you want to trumpet this as a failure.

And again with DOMA ... what do you have to fill the void? What are your candidates plans for the sudden legal vacuum created by its full repeal without anything to take its place? You don't have a clue do you? Oh, and just in case you forgot, or never knew in the first place, the executive brance can't repeal a law.